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OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME
UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE LEAGUE D – GROUP 4 MATCHDAY 4 GIBRALTAR V LIECHTENSTEIN TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16TH 2018 – KICK-OFF 8.45PM
Photo: Neil Wilson.
#ItsComingHome
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#ITSCOMINGHOME
62-64 Irish Town, PO Box 513, Gibraltar GX11 1AA Tel: +350 200 42941 Fax: +350 200 42211 Email: info@gibraltarfa.com Web: gibraltarfa.com
HONORARY PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT Michael Llamas Ian Torrilla
MANAGEMENT BOARD
Dennis Beiso - General Secretary Ivan Robba - Deputy General Secretary Charles Robba - Finance Director Richard Manning - Head of Administration Desi Curry - Technical Director
MATCH PROGRAMME
Designed and produced by APE Publications Gibraltar’s Match Programme specialists email: apepublications@aol.co.uk Twitter: @APEPublications Photography: Ian Martinez/ Gibraltar FA and Neil Wilson
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#ItsComingHome
publications
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HOMEAGAIN
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WELCOME
DENNIS BEISO – GENERAL SECRETARY, THE GIBRALTAR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
Dear Supporter, Welcome once again to the Victoria Stadium for our second home match in the UEFA Nations League. Today, we also extend a warm Gibraltarian welcome to the players, staff, officials and supporters who visit us from Liechtenstein. I am sure we will all agree that the away match in Vaduz last month was a very close and hard-fought affair, featuring two very evenly balanced sides. Our hope, of course, is that home advantage - and you, the 12th man - will give us that extra edge in today's
encounter. In fact, this is not the first time that Liechtenstein have played us in our national stadium. Our national teams first crossed swords here in March 2016, with the match finishing 0-0 in another very tight game. Above all I hope you enjoy the game today and that your invaluable support will be enough to steer the team to our first competitive points at full international level.
“I AM SURE WE WILL ALL AGREE THAT THE AWAY MATCH IN VADUZ LAST MONTH WAS A VERY CLOSE AND HARD-FOUGHT AFFAIR, FEATURING TWO VERY EVENLY BALANCED SIDES.”
Follow the Red and White! DENNIS BEISO General Secretary, The Gibraltar Football Association
#ItsComingHome FIVE
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HEAD COACH
JULIO RIBAS
THE MANAGER LOOKS AHEAD TO TODAY’S UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE ENCOUNTER… Dear Supporters, We are at the start of a new project with the Gibraltar National Team that fills us all with a great deal of enthusiasm. We have created a footballing family around the squad which is totally united, together and working extremely hard to achieve our goals. Day in, day out we are working hard together on the fundamental pillars to strengthen and grow this family and to develop our footballing identity as Gibraltarians, whilst at the same time striving to be competitive. So far the response we are getting is tremendous. We are on the right path; we have a very young squad with an approximate average age of 23, and we want to make the whole of Gibraltar proud with the passion and desire that we will show for our badge, our colours, our country and all those of you who become our 12th Man, as was the case in the previous home match against FYR Macedonia.
“WE ARE ON THE RIGHT PATH; WE HAVE A VERY YOUNG SQUAD WITH AN APPROXIMATE AVERAGE AGE OF 23, AND WE WANT TO MAKE THE WHOLE OF GIBRALTAR PROUD WITH THE PASSION AND DESIRE THAT WE WILL SHOW FOR OUR BADGE, OUR COLOURS, OUR COUNTRY AND ALL THOSE OF YOU WHO BECOME OUR 12TH MAN…” You can all be sure that tonight each and every one of Gibraltar’s players will give their all for the cause. They will be working as hard as possible to make this evening a memorable 90 minutes. Tonight’s visitors, Liechtenstein, will prove to be tough opponents, as is every team we will face in the UEFA Nations League.
Thank you once again for coming out tonight to support the team. Get behind the players, your players. This is YOUR Gibraltar playing in YOUR stadium, wearing YOUR colours. Enjoy the game… JULIO
They have quick players who are good in the air and have a solid technical base, however we will try to play our own brand of football and impose our strengths on them, the strengths that make us who we are – Gibraltarians.
#ItsComingHome SEVEN
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FANTASTIC
IT WAS GREAT TO SEE VICTORIA STADIUM PACKED FOR OUR UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE ENCOUNTER WITH MACEDONIA LAST MONTH AS HISTORY WAS MADE WITH OUR FIRST COMPETITIVE INTERNATIONAL FIXTURE ON HOME SOIL.
ACLASSACT
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OLIVERO
STUDENT OLIVERO MAKING HIS MARK… DESPITE only being 20 years of age, Jayce Olivero has 14 full International caps to his name and during this time he has established himself as a key member of the team with some assured displays.
“I let the coach decide that! I feel comfortable in both positions and enjoy playing in both. I’ve played at centre back since a young age so I’m quite accustomed to the position. Most of my senior games at domestic level have been at left back, so I feel good in both positions.”
What makes it even more remarkable is that he has managed to do this as well as studying for a Degree in England.
And what about his thoughts on the game in prospect?
“It is a real honour for me to represent my country on the International stage,” he said. “As a young player I would always dream of becoming part of the national team and nothing will ever exceed this achievement for me.
“I think that our last game against Liechtenstein really showed our progression and development throughout these years,” he added. “I think the team really put in a shift and everyone left everything they had on that pitch.
“I was very lucky that I was introduced into the national team at a very young age, which helped me massively in terms of my development and maturity in relation to the game. “It’s a very tough and challenging process but I feel that I have adapted to it well. I have always maintained focus on my goal and I know that I have to keep my standards high to keep my place. “Obviously studying for my Degree whilst also dedicating my time to football is very demanding. Since a young age, I have always been committed to sport and school work. “Along the years I found methods which worked best for me and helped me do the best I can in both areas. “Studying a degree abroad is obviously a bigger challenge. However, I still install my own methods of keeping organised and focused to make sure that I don’t fall behind in either area. “The university have also given me a lot of help and have aided me in being able to manage playing and studying. “I have various options and routes that I could take once I complete my studies; it’s about selecting the path that will benefit me most. I could possibly return to Gibraltar and dedicate a year to just football whilst also doing some work on the side.
“If I’m honest I don’t really know,” he admitted.
“On the other hand, I also have the option of completing an extra year in the UK, which will set me up well to become a teacher. “I’m still unsure and will have to weigh out the options and see which one is best.” Olivero is a product of the Gibraltar youth ranks, playing in all of the age groups that lead to the senior team, which has stood him in good stead. “The experience of playing youth internationals has been an integral part of my progression and development as a footballer,” he added. “Before playing in these high-calibre games, I was not aware of how much there is to learn about the game.
“It’s obviously really disappointing to put in such a good performance and not take any points from the game, however, I believe that we took a lot of things from the game. It showed us that we can play at that top level and that were are able to pin teams down and put them on the back-foot. “It was a very positive performance, but we must keep working and our hunger to improve will translate into tonight’s game. “It’s still very much a learning process for us all and each game we strive to improve and progress. “The support from the crowd is also going to be important. It has been incredible since I have been involved with the senior team and they have overcome many barriers to be able to support the team.
“The youth internationals really helped me to step up my game and significantly improved my knowledge and develop a different perspective. It made me appreciate the value of playing for your country which in turn had a great effect on the extra hours and hard work I put in to improve.”
“All I can say to our fans is to keep cheering us on and supporting our efforts like they have always done. We are forever be grateful for the undying support we receive from our home fans and will chase every ball, slide into every tackle and kick every ball, even when we physically feel we can no longer do so, so we can in turn repay that unfaltering support only the people of Gibraltar know how to give.
So, having featured both in the heart of defence and at left-back, which position does he favour?
“Cheer, sing and edge us on, you are our 12th man on that field and more times than not, you do play with us on that pitch!”
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NATIONS LEAGUE AN EXCITING NEW ERA OF INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL...
promotion and relegation as the competition evolves, and it will work in conjunction with qualification for the finals of UEFA EURO and the FIFA World Cup in order to streamline those particular qualifying competitions.
WE ARE delighted to be part of an exciting new era of international football as the UEFA Nations League is now in full swing. Designed to reduce the number of friendly fixtures and subsequently give international matches outside of major tournament qualifiers more meaning, the new competition will change the landscape of international football in Europe. The inaugural draw for the competition took place in January where Gibraltar were drawn in Group D4 of League D alongside FYR Macedonia, Armenia and Liechtenstein. All 55 UEFA nations compete across four separate leagues (A-D), which were decided by the coefficient ranking system at the time of the draw. Each league has four groups. There will be
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The competition will work on a two-year cycle, with the overall UEFA Nations League winner being confirmed every odd year. The new initiative will reduce the number of friendly internationals, but there will remain a space in the international calendar for friendly matches against teams from different confederations. This is particularly important as teams prepare to compete in the finals of the World Cup. However, the addition of this new international competition adds a competitive edge and excitement, as the small groups of between three and four teams will ensure that each and every game matters. There will be an outright UEFA Nations League winner every two years from the four group winners of League A who will compete in the semi-finals and then the final. The inaugural winner will be decided in 2019.
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Games are played on a home and away basis with fixtures taking place between September and November this year. Qualification for EURO 2020 will then take place between March and November 2019. The four Group B winners will be promoted to League A, and the four bottom teams will be relegated to League C ahead of the next UEFA Nations League competition in 2020. Meanwhile, the top four-ranked League B teams that do not qualify for EURO 2020 will enter the play-offs, where one place at the finals will be on offer. League D Group 4 results after the first two matchdays are, as follows:
MATCHDAY 1 ARMENIA 2 LIECHTENSTEIN 1 GIBRALTAR 0 FYR MACEDONIA 2
MATCHDAY 2
FYR MACEDONIA 2 ARMENIA 0 LIECHTENSTEIN 2 GIBRALTAR 0
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES TUESDAY OCTOBER 16TH 2018 GIBRALTAR v LIECHTENSTEIN (20:45) ARMENIA v FYR MACEDONIA FRIDAY NOVEMBER 16TH 2018 GIBRALTAR v ARMENIA (20:45) LIECHTENSTEIN v FYR MACEDONIA MONDAY NOVEMBER 19TH 2018 FYR MACEDONIA v GIBRALTAR (20:45) LIECHTENSTEIN v ARMENIA
#ItsComingHome ELEVEN
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MEMORY MATCH
CHARLIE CUMBO LOOKS BACK AT KEY GAMES FROM THE PAST…
JANUARY 14th 1952 saw the allconquering Red Star Belgrade team arrive on The Rock to take on a Gibraltar Selection as part of their tour, which took in Europe and Morocco. By an unkind twist of fate, a sudden downpour of rain and hailstones came in the build-up to kick-off and left the pitch resembling a lake. 22 pairs of boots then proceeded to churn up the surface into a mud bath, but despite these conditions, our visitors played some great football, showing the skill and ability which had seen them overcome all challengers on their European and Moroccan tour. However, it was Gibraltar who took the lead with just eight minutes on the clock when a cross from the right fell to Cooper who got in a low and powerful strike that flew past Nicolic in the visitors’ goal. It meant that the Yugoslav Champions found themselves in the unfamiliar position of being behind.
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our back-line and Panic was able to head home from close range. The final minutes saw Stankovic complete the scoring with a dipping lob from distance which found Costa out of position to give his side a 4-1 victory.
We managed to hold onto our advantage for the next 22 minutes before Kaloperovic hit the equaliser into the roof of the net to make it 1-1, and that is how the scoreline remained going into half-time. After the restart, our visitors started to get more on top and adapted well to the treacherous conditions. They were able to add three more goals to their tally during the second half. The first came just a few minutes into the second period when Antic tried his luck and the ball found its way home via a wicked deflection off a home defence. It was unlucky on us and we fell further behind when a corner caused concern for
Red Star Belgrade proved to be a fast and direct side who enjoyed some neat passages of play and tried to attack at every opportunity despite the tricky pitch. They also put in some robust challenges in their determination to win the game. In fact, there was no quarter given by either side in what was an entertaining battle. Pictured we see the Gibraltar selection lineup before kick-off and also local referee, Antonio Celecia, signalling for a goal as we took an early lead – just look at that pitch! GIBRALTAR SELECTION: Costa, Gonzalez, Ramos, Gavilan, Byrne, J. Ramos, Goodman, Rienda, Beiso, McMahon, Cooper. Subs: Fernandez, Francis, Duo, Origo, Cardona, Duarte, Barnes, Mata.
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23 years old, 15 caps, one goal, and around the squad since before our first-ever competitive match, how has your time with the national team been? My time with the national team has been has been incredible, in all aspects, and if God permits will continue doing so until I retire. I have been involved with the senior squad since the age of 16 and my transition has been a hard but exciting one. With older great players in the squad I have had to learn and train myself hard to achieve to be what, I hope I am - an important player in the squad. I have always believed in my ability and will continue to work as hard as I possibly can to be the best player I can be for Gibraltar What would be your most memorable moment in international football so far? My most memorable moment in international football so far would have to be when I scored my first international goal against Cyprus in the World Cup Qualifiers. It was such a great feeling to score for my country on such a big stage. Although we didn’t get a result on that day it proves that we have it in us to get one down the line as we were minutes away from doing so. Hopefully I will score many more goals for Gibraltar in the future. The UEFA Nations League – is it different to the usual World Cup and European Qualifiers? Every time I walk out onto the pitch, wearing our shirt, with the Gibraltar badge on, it’s a special occasion for me – one which I don’t take lightly. Nowadays every nation is competitive with players of great level and quality. However, I do feel we get the opportunity in The Nations League to play against sides like Liechtenstein which is a country of a population and stature similar to ours. In our away match against them we put in a great performance and deserved a result. Hopefully that happens today Back in Gib full-time now and starring for Lincoln. Are you in a good place football wise at the moment? I’m enjoying my football at Lincoln as it stands and being chosen to represent my FOURTEEN #ItsComingHome
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ANTHON HERNAND IN CONVERSATION
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ONY NDEZ
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country on a regular basis is something which I don’t take for granted. I work myself hard every day to keep on improving as a player and am aiming to reach a higher football level as I get older. Who knows what is in store for me in my career as I’m only 23 and still have loads to learn and improve. Where do you see is your best position as you have featured everywhere in midfield and even as a number 9 your time with the national team? I believe my best position is the number 10 role, behind the striker, but I always put the want to be an asset for any manager and whatever position he sees fit for me. This improves my game in many aspects, as I can perform various roles all over the pitch. What can we expect from the game tonight given the previous game away in Liechtenstein when we dominated, you hit the bar, but we ultimately lost 20? I believe tonight is going to be a day which will go down in history for us because I firmly believe we can get a result. Simple as that. We proved what we are capable of in the first game, away in Vaduz, although they took the three points on that occasion. Today is going to be different and we will get what we deserve. What does the future hold for Anthony Hernandez? I believe football puts every player in his place in the long run and every player gets what they deserve within their limitations. My aim is to keep working hard every day and hopefully big things are in store for me! Pictures: Ian Martinez/ Gibraltar FA
#ItsComingHome FIFTEEN
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GIBRALTAR GOALKEEPERS: MATT CAFER KYLE GOLDWIN DEFENDERS: LOUIS ANNESLEY ERIN BARNETT ETHAN BRITTO JOSEPH CHIPOLINA ROY CHIPOLINA JEAN CARLOS GARCIA ETHAN JOLLEY JAYCE OLIVERO JACK SERGEANT MIDFIELDERS: ANTHONY BARDON KYLE CASCIARO ANDREW HERNANDEZ ANTHONY HERNANDEZ ALAIN PONS LIAM WALKER SCOTT BALLANTINE FORWARDS: GEORGE CABRERA LEE CASCIARO JAMIE COOMBES REECE STYCHE STANDBY DAYLE COLEING JAMIE ROBBA GRAEME TORRILLA KEVAGN ROBBA MICHAEL NEGRETTE LEON CLINTON TJAY DE BARR
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LIECHTENSTEIN GOALKEEPERS: BENJAMIN BÜCHEL THOMAS HOBI JUSTIN OSPELT DEFENDERS: FABIAN EBERLE MAXIMILIAN GÖPPEL MICHELE POLVERINO DANIEL KAUFMANN ANDREAS MALIN MARTIN RECHSTEINER SANDRO WIESER SEYHAN YILDIZ MIDFIELDERS: MARTIN BÜCHEL VINZENZ FLATZ ROBIN GUBSER NICOLAS HASLER LIVIO MEIER ARON SELE MARCO WOLFINGER SANDRO WOLFINGER MARCEL BÜCHEL PHILIPPE ERNE NIKLAS KIEBER DENNIS SALANOVIC FORWARDS: DANIEL BRÄNDLE GÜR OLCAY ARMANDO HEEB JENS HOFER DARIO KAISER LORENZO LO RUSSO CLAUDIO MAJER MATHIAS SELE
PLD SUB
MATCH OFFICIALS REFEREE TBA ASSISTANT REFEREE 1 TBA ASSISTANT REFEREE 2 TBA FOURTH OFFICIAL TBA
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PHOTO: Neil Wilson.
#ItsComingHome SEVENTEEN
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GIBRALTAR 0 FYR MACEDONIA 2
UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE (LEAGUE D, GROUP 4)
VICTORIA STADIUM THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH 2018
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HISTORY IN THE MAKING
THERE WAS HISTORY IN THE MAKING AS WE STEPPED OUT IN FRONT OF A PACKED HOUSE AT VICTORIA STADIUM FOR OUR FIRST-EVER COMPETITIVE INTERNATIONAL FIXTURE HERE ON THE ROCK. It was a real spine-tingling moment for It was from the resulting corner that they everyone and the players responded with were able to double their advantage when a lively start to the game. Alioski found space on the edge of the area and as the ball fell out to him, he The early exchanges saw Hernandez was able to lash home into the bottom almost thread a ball through for De Barr corner of the net. but the visitors’ defence was alert to the danger and Ristevski was able to clear. As the clock ticked down in the first half, The next raid saw Pons put in an inviting Goldwin was athletic to deny Spirovski GIBRALTAR: Goldwin, J. Chipolina, Sergeant, L. Casciaro (Garcia 89), Bardon, Walker, cross into the danger zone which posed whose powerful drive was tipped over the Pons (Gerro 75), Olivero, Barnett, more questions of the opposition backcrossbar. We started the second half in Hernandez, De Barr (Styche 80). line but they were able to clear their lines. much the same vein as the first, looking lively and determined. Subs not used: Cafer, Coleing, Torrilla, Annesley, R. Chipolina, Hernandez, Lopez. There was plenty to be encouraged about from the opening quarter-of-an-hour but it There was some skilful play, particularly BOOKINGS: Barnett, De Barr. was our visitors who were able to get in wide positions where both Pons and De their noses in front following a rare foray Barr were showing a willingness to get on FYR MACEDONIA: Dimitrievski, Ristevski, Musliu, Trickovski, Alioski. Trajkovski forward as Ristovski got in a low cross the ball and try to make things happen. (Elmas 68), Pandev (Nestorovski 46), Bardi that picked out Trickovski who was able to (Bejtulai 85), Ristovski, Nikolov, Spirovski. guide the ball home from close range. An effort from Walker curled just wide of the target as we searched for a way back Subs not used: Nilson, Tosevski, Cikarski, As our opponents started to get into their into the game, but we found our Velkoski. BOOKINGS: Trickovski, Alioski. stride, a through-ball was seized upon by opponents in stubborn mood as they kept GOALSCORERS: Trickovski, Alioski. Bardi who saw his strike bravely blocked us at bay and played out the rest of the by Goldwin. game to secure a 2-0 victory. Pictures: Ian Martinez/Gibraltar FA
EIGHTEEN #ItsComingHome
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#ItsComingHome NINETEEN
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LIECHTENSTEIN 2 GIBRALTAR 0
UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE (LEAGUE D, GROUP 4)
RHEINPARK STADION SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH 2018
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PLENTY OF POSITIVES
OUR DESTINATION WAS LIECHTENSTEIN THREE DAYS LATER FOR OUR LATEST UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE ENCOUNTER. It was the home side who looked to make the early running with a chance within the opening minutes which was well dealt with by Olivero. At the other end, Hernandez got in a strike that was blocked before the same player saw a curling effort rattle the woodwork as the home side breathed a huge sigh of relief. We were certainly looking capable of getting our noses in front but it was the home side who broke the deadlock against the run of play when Salanovic made a purposeful break before firing home. It was a real blow to us after the start we had made and we almost fell further behind shortly afterwards when the home side seized upon a loose pass only for Goldwin to come to the rescue with a save. As we looked to get back into our stride, Casciaro saw an effort saved before a freekick found the head of Chipolina who was
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just off target from a good position. Whilst we deserved to be at least on level terms going into the break, we found ourselves trailing by a single goal and we set about the task of getting back into the game in opening exchanges of the second period. We put together some decent passages of play but we couldn’t make them count as the home side defended resolutely. There was a smart save to deny Olivero, whilst Walker was also thwarted by the home ‘keeper. Despite our best efforts, we fell 2-0 behind as the clock ticked down when Weiser was able to find the net and that is how the scoreline stayed. It may have been our second defeat in a row in the UEFA Nations League, but there were definitely plenty of positives to come out of the overall performance and we will be looking to build upon these in the matches ahead.
LIECHTENSTEIN: Buchel, Goppel, Kaufmann, Quintans, Sele, Wieser, Salanovic, Meier (Kieber 89), Hasler, Wolfinger (Kuhne 74), Gubser (Yildiz 82). Subs not used: Hobi, Lo Russo, Eberle, Malin, Erne, Flatz, Rechsteiner. BOOKINGS: Wieser, Salanovic, Wolfinger. GOALSCORERS: Salanovic, Wieser. GIBRALTAR: Goldwin, J. Chipolina, Sergeant, L. Casciaro, Bardon, Walker, Pons (Garro 46), Olivero, Barnett, Hernandez, De Barr (Styche 71). Subs not used: Cafer, Coleing, Garcia, Torrilla, Annesley, R. Chipolina, Hernandez, Britto. BOOKINGS: Sergeant, De Barr, Styche. Pictures: Ian Martinez/Gibraltar FA
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#ItsComingHome TWENTY ONE
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THE OPPOSITION Mat Guy gives us the lowdown on today’s opponents…
The Principality of Liechtenstein is a landlocked micro state of some 62 square miles between Switzerland and Austria. With a population of 38,000, it is one of the three smallest states within UEFA (Gibraltar and San Marino being the other two). Liechtenstein joined UEFA and FIFA in 1974, but didn’t play its first international match until June 1981, when this fledgling national team took part in a small tournament called The Presidents Cup in South Korea. It would be Ludwig Sklarski (pictured) that made history with the first ever goal for Liechtenstein in their first ever match – a 1-1 draw with Malta in Daejon. A 2-0 defeat to Thailand, and a 3-2 victory against Indonesia in Jeonju followed, but it would be another four months before the team would play a first ever home international. It was Ludwig Sklarski again, a player who appeared for Bayern Munich’s junior sides before spells in Belgium with KV Kortrijk and Switzerland with FC Zurich (where he won the league in 1981) who scored Liechtenstein’s first-ever goal within the principality. A lone strike was enough to beat Malaysia in a friendly win in Balzers in October 1981, watched by 700. For Sklarski that would be as good as it got on the international scene, with Liechtenstein playing only two further fixtures over the next nine years. Indeed, between 1990 and 1993 they featured in only three more friendlies, before in 1994 the principality took part in its first-ever UEFA competition, qualifiers for Euro 96.
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Franz Burgmeier
Frick should score one of Liechtenstein’s two goals in that historic first competitive win over Azerbaijan in 1998. Despite having retired, the Frick name still contributes to the fortunes of the national team with Mario’s son, Yannick, having made six international appearances while developing his game first at Austrian Bundesliga side SC Rheindorf, and latterly at Pro Piacenza in Serie C in Italy.
It would be a mixed bag for Liechtenstein, though far from a baptism of fire. A 4-1 defeat to Northern Ireland in the opening round of matches was followed by narrow losses to Switzerland (2-0) and Latvia (1-0). Heavier defeats against Portugal (8-0 away and 7-0 at home), and a 7-0 loss away to Austria were interspersed with a goalless draw at home to the Republic of Ireland.
and away during the Euro 2004 qualifying campaign. Goals from Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney in front of 65,000 people at Old Trafford the only damage incurred at the Theatre of Dreams.
A year later, during qualification for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Liechtenstein would suffer their heaviest international defeat when they lost 11-1 at home to Macedonia. Fitting then that this UEFA Nations League campaign gives them an opportunity for revenge.
Though Liechtenstein’s last qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup reads played ten, lost ten, they did have to face both Spain and Italy, and narrow defeats both home and away to Albania and Israel suggests that they are closing the gap on a number of nations.
It would be in 1998 when the principality would register its first competitive victory, defeating Azerbaijan 2-1 in a Euro 2000 qualifier in Vaduz. Since then Liechtenstein have secured a further six competitive wins, the last coming in November 2014 when a Franz Burgmeier (pictured) goal saw off Moldova in Chisinau during qualification for Euro 2016. Notable mention must also go to the team of 2003, who restricted England to 2-0 victories both home
A year later and a Burgmeier inspired comeback against Portugal saw an unlikely 2-2 draw at the Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers.
No doubt inspired by Liechtenstein legend, Mario Frick (pictured), who with more than 120 caps, and a record 16 international goals, is the man everyone looks up to. Starting out at FC Balzers in his homeland, he scored 49 goals in 97 games. This alerted bigger clubs in neighbouring Switzerland, and he would go on to play 250 games for St Gallen, Basel, and Zurich before moving to Italy. Spells at Arezzo, Hellas Verona, Ternana, and Siena saw him play 268 times, with 100 in Serie A. It would be fitting therefore that
Yannick isn’t the only Liechtensteiner plying his trade abroad. Nicolas Hasler plays for Chicago fire in the MLS, and Denis Salanovic is in Switzerland with FC Thun. But it is Marcel Buchel who has followed Frick senior in leading the way for this current crop of players, with Cremonese, Bologna, Empoli, and Juventus (where he played in a Europa League match against RB Salzburg) among his former employers. He is currently at Hellas Verona. Due to Liechtenstein’s size, there are only seven football teams within the principality. With eight being the minimum requirement for an officially UEFA sanctioned league, the principalities’ teams play within the Swiss football pyramid. Of them, FC Vaduz are the most successful, having competed in the Swiss Super League as recently as recently as last year, though they currently find themselves in the second tier. Beneath Vaduz and USV Eschen/Mauren are in the fourth tier, and FC Balzers in the fifth tier. Though this means that they can never qualify for the Champions League, Liechtenstein do have an entrant into the Europa League via the winners of the Liechtensteiner Cup, which has been competed for since 1946. Reserve and third teams from the seven clubs help make up the numbers. Unsurprisingly, Vaduz have dominated, winning 46 cups in total, and 20 of the last 21 editions. The only blip on their success being in 2012, when USV Eschen/Mauren beat them on penalties after a 2-2 draw. USV would go on to lose three one on aggregate to FH of Iceland in the first qualifying round, though Vaduz did reach the third qualifying round in the 15/16 season, losing on away goals to FC Thun. It is a proud footballing history for such a tiny nation.
#ItsComingHome TWENTY THREE
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Walker’s wonder strike against Greece; the monumental battle against Cyprus that saw us almost get our first official point.
FROM THE COMMENTARY BOX
THE THOUGHTS OF PAUL BREEN-TURNER…
The new Nations League format gives Gibraltar a chance to face teams of a similar level, although Macedonia are arguably a level above the rest in the group. There are reasons to believe that the first elusive point may not be too far away; the performance in Liechtenstein was one to be proud of with more possession than in any other away game and it has seen fans racing to buy tickets for today’s return encounter. And why not? The Victoria Stadium is already creating a wonderful atmosphere with a reduced capacity of 2,000. It will be incredible when the full refurbishment is complete. The big question is can Gibraltar get their first official points on the board sooner rather than later? One thing’s for sure, neither Liechtenstein or Armenia will be looking forward to their visits to the Rock and I truly believe something historic could be heading our way. You only had to look at the GBC commentary box during the last game here against Macedonia. Neither Robin SheppardCapurro or Davy Wilson were able to sit down throughout the entire 90 minutes! I hope you won't mind me giving a special mention to all the GBC production team who work so hard behind-the-scenes on these live matches. It really is a team effort from them, much like those lads in red and white on the pitch.
WHEN Gerard Teuma, the head of GBC TV, asked if I’d be interested In covering what turned out to be an historic Champions League qualifier between Lincoln Red Imps and Celtic a few seasons ago, I was not sure what to expect. I had more or less retired from broadcasting and my days on TalkSport in London and covering La Liga for Mediapro seemed a lifetime ago. Football on The Rock was new to me; it seemed so small, could a nation of 30,000 really compete?
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The answer without doubt is a resounding yes! I've found myself dragged along on a wave of enthusiasm, determination, but more importantly, pride. Talk to any Gibraltarian and ask how they feel when the National Anthem rings out ahead of a match and they will tell you the score is not the most important thing; it's a learning curve. We have already had so many memorable moments; Lee Casciaro’s winner against Celtic, Liam
I will leave you with this final thought; what is going to happen when the Liechtenstein National Anthem plays in Victoria Stadium ahead of the game? I never knew their anthem had the same music as God Save The Queen but with different words! I would guess that, like me, most of you also didn’t know this fact, so at least you have learned this from my musings if nothing else! Best wishes to you all… PAUL BREEN-TURNER Twitter: @paulbreenturner
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LIAMWALKER
FIVE MINUTES WITH. . .
NAME: LIAM WALKER AGE: 30 POSITION: MIDFIELDER
Liam, firstly how did it feel to finally play a competitive international fixture, at home in Gibraltar at the Victoria Stadium in front of a sell-out crowd? It was absolutely amazing, the atmosphere was great. It is what we have been wanting ever since we joined UEFA and FIFA, to be playing on our home ground in front of all our fans and family. The Estadio Algarve is a great stadium, and the way we were treated there was excellent and we thank everyone there for it, but there is nothing like being on our Rock! How have you found the UEFA Nations League competition so far? Is there a major difference to the usual World Cup and European Qualifiers? So far I feel we have done well. FYR Macedonia are a strong side; I would say up there as one of if not the favourites in League D of The Nations League, so I feel it was a respectful result. Then against Liechtenstein we had between 50 and 60% possession and created some good chances to score. The result didn’t do justice to a great performance. We want to build off that and keep getting better and competing as we have done so far. Last time out, away in Liechtenstein, we were on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline, despite dominating the game. Was that hard to take, coming off the field in an international match thinking we should have taken something away from that game? It was hard to take because, like I said, I thought we put in a very good performance. It was a shame we couldn’t finish off our chances but I feel we deserved to get a result out of the match.
So what about tonight? What can we expect from the game? Tonight I feel it will be another close game, very similar to the away game, where they will look to break with pace. I feel if we take our chances we could get a result.
obviously wasn’t the player to suit Kevin Nolan’s style of play which was long ball. I’m a player who wants the ball on the ground – it’s how I have grown up playing the game. So it was a hard season personally as I didn’t get the playing time that I would have liked.
Tonight will be Julio Ribas’ fourth game in charge. What impact has he had on the squad as a whole? Since Julio has come in there is a very positive vibe around the place, he knows how to get the players motivated and most of all he has come in with his idea and how he wants us to play and the team is responding well. We are going in the right direction and I’m sure Julio is going to do a great job for Gibraltar and the GFA. He is a very passionate person who has had his whole life in football and I am sure the future under him will be bright.
So what does the future hold for Liam Walker then? Do you see yourself making a move abroad again at this stage in your career?
On a personal level you have made the move back home to Gibraltar, back to Europa FC after a year in England with Notts County, what made you come back? Yes, I’m happy to be back at Europa FC; it was a hard season in England. I
At the moment I’m a Europa FC player, where I’m happy. It’s a club who have treated me brilliantly, respected me and appreciated me as a player. But nobody knows what the future is in football as many things can change. And finally do you have a message for the fans tonight? Carry on supporting the team as you always have. To us it’s very important to have you all behind us and be sure that every single player who puts the Gibraltar shirt on will be giving everything they have and playing with all their heart, passion and determination for the badge and colours! TWENTY FIVE
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THETWELTHPLAYER
ELEVEN PLAYERS WILL WALK ONTO A FIELD ONCE AGAIN TODAY. IF THE CLOUDS STAY AWAY THE SUN WILL ONCE AGAIN SHINE THROUGH THE STADIUM WALLS ONTO THE PITCH TO LIGHT UP THE FIELD. The golden hue that should, if lucky, cast its magical tone over the Victoria Stadium will be over shadowed by a prominent and iconic feature, the Rock of Gibraltar. After decades of battling for Gibraltar’s inclusion in UEFA and FIFA, and the success in doing so, it took five years before Gibraltar could state that football had come home. The Rock of Gibraltar in the background signalled its return. Julio Ribas, Gibraltar’s national coach, has on more than one occasion pointed at the Rock of Gibraltar and told his players what it meant. They were playing for that “Rock of Gibraltar”. Nowhere in the world was there such an iconic monument to Gibraltarianism than in Gibraltar itself. That was how unique Gibraltar is. That’s how important it should be to the players. Notably, Ribas has consistently highlighted what the Rock of Gibraltar meant. It is not just a piece of limestone sitting overlooking a piece of land. It
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embodies everything. It represents every one of the eleven players wearing the Gibraltar colours. It represents every family, every child, father and mother of every player. It represents every generation that has come before them and will come after them. It represents every life lost to safeguard it. The Rock of Gibraltar represents every person sitting on those seats at the Victoria Stadium cheering on their team.
It represents every supporter who couldn’t make it, and every supporter who did not wish to make it but is still watching with the same passion and emotion. The Rock of Gibraltar is the reason as to why those eleven men wear the red and white shirts on this day. It actually does not matter whether the sun shines or whether the clouds linger over the Rock, as it does many a day of the year. It is part of the very fabric of
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It might only be football, but it is football that represents a whole nation. It is football which represents the dreams and aspirations of many. Dreams which kept the society ticking on whilst the frontier was closed. It took the minds of the community away from bad times and provided smiles. It provides the smiles and tears of the next moment, as well as the moment of pride for being a Gibraltarian when results come. It is more than just kicking a ball. As Italian philosopher, Humberto Eco, suggested once that football is the peaceful way of conducting tribal wars without the bloodsheds. Where two nations can compete against each other without wars. Where two towns from the same nations can battle without civil wars.
every player and person in Gibraltar which makes Gibraltar home. It does not matter if it can’t be seen in the dark. Knowing it is present is enough. No longer will the Gibraltar national team have to feign playing on home soil knowing full well that its 400kms away. That the closest they could call Faro their home was the fact that they had hired out a stadium for a few days and tried to make it their own. The importance of playing on home soil was clearly highlighted by Julio Ribas just a couple of weeks ago when he tried to explain how his players felt on walking onto the field to a packed Victoria Stadium. Eleven men faced the Rock whilst their national anthem played on one of the most symbolic gestures played out at the stadium in recent years as they signalled that they were truly playing at home. To them it was more than just the first official competitive International match to be played at the Victoria Stadium. It was the first official competitive match on home soil with their own people surrounding them. Played on a pitch in which through history their people had made sacrifices to ensure they could call their own.
It was played just metres away from where many had many a day dreamt that they would one day play International football for their country. Just doors away from the homes of some of them, down the road from the homes of others. A small journey home for the others but just as much part of their home. When before they would have had to look deep within themselves to find that energy and momentum that would push them beyond their limits when things were not going the way they wanted, they now only had to wait for those around them to provide them the push and remind them why they were there. A player looking up at the stands could now see their child, their wife, their parents, their next door neighbour or friends and know that they were at home. They no longer just represented football in Gibraltar, they represented Gibraltar itself. They could hear the familiar voices of every day.
Cheers and singing will encourage any person to step forward and try their hardest to excel. Even silence will have its own meaning which will motivate a player when they are playing on home soil. It marks the difference where there isn’t even the need of a coach telling you for you to know that you need to step it up. A thousand, two thousand others will be telling you just that. There is no hiding the fact that the ‘12th man’ is the player that can make the difference when the going gets tough, and it will many a time as Gibraltar tries to find its identity and feet on the international football stage. Which is why the 12th man must be heard. Make some noise and let them know you are watching. WORDS: Stephen Ignacio, Gibraltar Chronicle IMAGES: Neil Wilson
#ItsComingHome TWENTY SEVEN
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LEAGUE REVIEW
WITH THE INTERNATIONALS COMING THICK AND FAST, THE PREMIER DIVISION HAS TAKEN A LITTLE BIT OF A BACK SEAT RECENTLY, BUT AFTER TONIGHT’S GAME, THERE ARE THREE GAME WEEKS SCHEDULED, WITH SOME GREAT GAMES ALONG THE WAY BEFORE THE LEAGUE AGAIN TAKES A BREAK FOR NOVEMBER’S INTERNATIONALS. League leaders Lincoln return to action on the 22nd when they take on Gibraltar United – a team who beat them in their last meeting. After that, the reigning champions face Lynx on October 27th, before facing newly-promoted Boca on November 2nd. St. Joseph’s suffered a blow when losing 5-0 to Lincoln recently, but they’ll need to bounce back when they take on Europa on the 20th – arguably the marquee fixture of Matchday 5. It doesn’t get easier for Saints either, who then must take on Mons Calpe on the 25th, and then Glacis, who have already taken four points off Europa and Mons Calpe, on November 4th. After taking on St. Joseph’s, Europa have a rearranged fixture against Gibraltar Phoenix on the 24th, then another game four days later against Gibraltar United. On Matchday 7, Gibraltar United face Mons Calpe – a repeat of last season’s Gibtelecom Rock Cup semi-final which
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Mons won 5-0. As for Phoenix, apart from Europa they take on Glacis, Boca and Lions – games they’ll need to be taking wins from. Elsewhere, there’s plenty to look forward to with the likes of Lynx, much improved from last season, and Glacis, who are proving to be a tough team to crack, all facing teams around them. And while the likes of Lions and Boca have had difficult starts to the season, both sides are improving and will be looking to get elusive results to start building up confidence. Meanwhile, the Second Division is beginning to take shape and there are four rounds of fixtures, starting tomorrow where Hound Dogs face College 1975 at 20:30. Manchester 62 have a bye on Matchday 5, owing to the fact there’s seven teams in the division, before three consecutive fixtures which they’ll be looking to take maximum points from. Elsewhere in the division, Magpies and
Olympique face off on Matchday 6 – while it may not have the spark of last season’s meetings, both teams will be raring to take three points off a potential title rival, while Europa Point v College could provide a potential banana-skin for Europa Point; much like when they drew with Hound Dogs last season. There’s also Leo, who take on three of the title-chasers and aim to cause upsets against all of them. It’s fair to say that there is plenty of great football action to come over the weeks ahead with thrills and spills aplenty guaranteed. Come along to Victoria Stadium and show your support. Words: Dan Griffin Pictures: Neil Wilson
Dan writes for Football Gibraltar, official Gibraltar FA and UEFA correspondents and the first dedicated football site on the Rock, having started back in 2010.
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#ItsComingHome
TWENTY NINE
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COMING UP NEXT UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE LEAGUE D – GROUP 4 MATCHDAY 5 GIBRALTAR V ARMENIA FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH 2018 – KICK-OFF 8.45PM
WE FACE our third and final home group game of this inaugural UEFA Nations League competition next month when Armenia visit us here at the Victoria Stadium.
emerged as a player of top international calibre. They are yet to qualify for a major tournament but definite progress is being made by the team known as the ‘Mountaineers’, who are back under the guidance of Vardan Minasyan (pictured), who previously led the team between 2009 and 2014.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, national football federations were established in all the republics that gained independence. The Football Federation of Armenia was formed in 1992 along with the national team, which played its first match in October of that year, a friendly against Moldova that ended in a goalless draw. Their first competitive game came in September 1994, a 1996 UEFA European Championship qualifier against Belgium which ended in a 2-0 defeat. They had to wait until September 1995 for their first competitive victory as they beat FYR Macedonia 2-1. THIRTY
#ItsComingHome
This UEFA Nations League campaign started with a 2-1 home victory over Liechtenstein before they succumbed to a 2-0 reverse in Macedonia.
LOOKING AHEAD…
Since then Armenia have been a permanent fixture in UEFA EURO and FIFA World Cup qualifying tournaments, earning the notable achievement of finishing third in their UEFA EURO 2012 group, during which talismanic attacking midfielder, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who then played for FC Shakhtar Donetsk,
Here are our remaining UEFA Nations League fixtures: FRIDAY NOVEMBER 16TH 2018 GIBRALTAR v ARMENIA - 20:45 MONDAY NOVEMBER 19TH 2018 FYR MACEDONIA v GIBRALTAR - 20:45
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#ItsComingHome THIRTY ONE
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